Manufacturing professionals involved at any level in the supply chain of a product may be required by their employer to have completed or have plans to obtain a logistics certificate. Supply Managers, Logistics Specialists and Managers, Cost Analysts, Inventory and Production Coordinators, and others who find themselves in an operations management career or who have an interest in pursuing one can obtain certificates through a few well-recognized and respected training and examination associations.
There are three certificates available from APICS, The Association for Operations Management, and three different certificates offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Accenture offers a 40-hour certification for high school graduates in the manufacturing industry. There are also similar programs available through some four-year colleges.
Which program you choose will depend on the amount of education and experience you currently have; the weight and prestige you would like your certificate to carry; and the time, effort, and money you can dedicate to earning your designation.